Mineral Profile of Two Popular Yam Varieties (“Fusheini Billa” and “Larbako”) from Three Locations in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Yam serves as a cornerstone for food security in West Africa; however, it is categorized as an orphan crop due to little research on the nutritional composition of local yam varieties across different locations. The objective for this study is to determine mineral profiles of two popular white yam varieties (Larbako and Fusheini Billa) across three distinct locations in Northern Region of Ghana (Mion, Yendi and Zabzugu) while the specific objective was to evaluate how the location of cultivation, variety and interactive effects influences yam nutritional profile for six minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn). The design used in the study was a 2 x 3 factorial experiment with six distinct treatment groups. All the groups were analyzed in triplicates with a level of significance of P<.005. Mineral analysis was done in the Soil and Crop Department Laboratory of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The samples of yam were obtained at Mion District, Yendi Municipal and Zabzugu District. The mineral concentrations were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Flame Photometry, and complexometric titration. The results showed highly significant effects for both location and variety for potassium (P<.001), Calcium (P<.001 and P=.004), Magnesium (P<.001), Iron (P<.001) and highly significant interactive effects (LxV) were observed for Sodium (P<.001), Iron (P<.001) and Zinc (P<.001). The obtained values for the locations (Mion, Yendi, and Zabzugu) are; Iron ranged from 8.73-13.14%, Zinc levels ranged from 5.86% to 5.95%. Potassium levels ranged from 2.23% to 2.45%, Calcium levels ranged from 1.15% to 1.45%, Magnesium levels ranged from 0.53% to 0.65% and Sodium levels were the lowest being less than 0.052%.  For yam varieties, Fusheini Billa outperformed Larbako in terms of mineral profile for Potassium (2.40%), Magnesium (0.61%), Iron (11.71%), and Zinc (6.36%).  There were varying interactives effects for the six minerals. These findings demonstrate that the nutritional potential of white yam is location specific. Targeted location selection and cultivation of these yam varieties based on agroecological suitability can serve as a strategic intervention to address micronutrient deficiencies and enhance regional food security.